PPT2000: Unable to Insert QuickTime Movies

ID: Q235950

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to insert an Apple QuickTime movie into Microsoft PowerPoint 2000, you may receive the following error message:

PowerPoint couldn't insert movie from the selected file. Either the file is non-standard, or QuickTime is not installed properly.


CAUSE

Microsoft PowerPoint 2000 can only play back QuickTime movies (*.mov files) that use compression schemes with corresponding Media Control Interface (MCI) compatible codecs.

A codec (Compressor/Decompressor) is an algorithm or scheme used to record digital video or audio. For example, when video is transmitted over the Internet, it must be compressed on the sending end and decompressed on the receiving end. A codec can be chosen based upon the user's audio or image quality and image size preferences.

When a QuickTime movie is read, a Video for Windows decompressor is used to decompress the QuickTime files. If the decompressor does not support the compression method used by the QuickTime movie, it cannot render the movie on to the screen.


WORKAROUND

Verify that QuickTime Movies Are Not Compatible

Before proceeding with any conversions, it is best to verify that the QuickTime movie is not compatible with PowerPoint 2000. There is a quick test for this: does the movie play in Media Player?

Media Player, or mplayer.exe, is not the same application as the Windows Media Player. Media Player ships with various versions of the Windows operating systems, and is an MCI compliant device.

However, Windows Media Player is a new technology that does not rely on MCI for its capabilities to play various forms of media. Windows Media Player can play a wider range of video and audio formats than can Media Player.

How to verify if the movie is not compatible To determine the compatibility of the movie, follow these steps:
  1. On the Windows Start menu, click Run.


  2. In the Open box type: mplayer.exe.


  3. Click OK. This starts Media Player.


  4. On the File menu, click Open.


  5. Browse to the QuickTime movie you want to verify. Click Open.


If it does not play and you receive an error message in Media Player, the movie is not compatible and will not play in PowerPoint 2000. To make it compatible, use one of the two following methods to convert it to a compatible compression format.

If the QuickTime movie is compatible, then it will open in Media Player. If this happens, there may be a problem with PowerPoint 2000 or with the MCI settings. See the following article for more information:
Q212409 Q212409
: PPT2000: Unable to Insert a Movie from the Selected File

NOTE: The following list of Codecs are those that are present on both the Windows OS platforms and with QuickTime 4.0. While there may be other codecs that are available on both platforms, this list contains those that are standard across both platforms and can be used with little worry. Standard Compression Formats NOTE: The following steps make use of QuickTime 4.0 Pro and cannot be performed with the basic version of QuickTime 4.0. The steps are the same for both Windows and Macintosh versions of QuickTime 4.0. You can use other QuickTime editing programs in place of QuickTime 4.0 Pro, see their documentation on the relevant steps.

Method 1: Convert QuickTime Movies to AVI Format

To convert the QuickTime movies to AVI format, follow these steps:
  1. Start the QuickTime Player, and open up the file you want to convert.


  2. On the File menu, click Export.


  3. Set the Export file type to Movie to AVI.


  4. Click Options, and then click Settings.


  5. In the Compressor group, click the list of compressors and choose one from the previous list. One of the more popular formats is Cinepak, but choose the one that you think works best with the movie.


  6. Make sure to change the extension on the file name to .avi, then click Save.


Method 2: Recompress the QuickTime Movies with Compatible Codec

To recompress the QuickTime movies with compatible codec, follow these steps:
  1. Start the QuickTime Player, and open up the file you want to convert.


  2. On the File menu, click Export.


  3. Set the Export file type to Movie to QuickTime Movie.


  4. Click Options, and then click Settings.


  5. In the Compressor group, click the list of compressors and choose one from the previous list. One of the more popular formats is Cinepak, but choose the one that you think works best with the movie.


  6. Click Save.


The third-party products discussed here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

Create a Hyperlink to The .MOV File

If you do not mind not having your movie play in place, or not having it play automatically, you can create a hyperlink to the .MOV file, and let the Quicktime player for Windows play the file instead.
  1. Select the object or text you want to assign the hyperlink to.


  2. On the Insert menu, click Hyperlink.


  3. In the Link topane, select Exisiting File or Web Page.


  4. Click File under Browse to, and locate the .mov file that you want to play.


  5. Click OK, then click OK again.


During the slide show, all you need to do is click the linked object or text. If a valid player is available, it will start and play the Quicktime movie.


MORE INFORMATION

For more information about QuickTime 4.0, its capabilities, and support, see the following web page on Apple Computer's web site:

Support Quicktime

Additional query words: ppt2000 ppt ppt2k 2k 2000 ppt9 9.0 quicktime qt file images movies motion clips inserted playing inserting errors howto how to why unable doesn't does not work play into powerpnt 


Keywords          : kbmm kbdta 
Version           : WINDOWS:2000
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: July 28, 1999